Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Selling over 16,000 copies in hardcover, this triumphant coming-of-age memoir is now available in paperback editions in both English and Spanish. In the tradition of Black Ice, Santiago writes lyrically of her childhood on her native island and of her bewildering years of transition in New York City.

Review:

"Santiago's autobiographical account cinematically recaptures her past and her island culture. What is particularly appealing about Santiago's story is the insight it offers to readers unaware of the double bind Puerto Rican Americans find themselves in: the identity in conflict. Is [she] black or white? Is she rural or urban? Even more importantly, is she Puerto Rican or is she American? [One] can only be grateful that Esmeralda Santiago has chosen to explore her culture and share what she has found." The Los Angeles Times Book Review

Review:

"A beguiling record of a tremendous journey, epic in its own way, from childhood in a vibrant Puerto Rican barrio to triumph at Harvard, with a defining pause in a drab Brooklyn along the way....Cleareyed, quietly powerful, and often lyrical: a story of true grit." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"A poignant look at a girl's coming of age and taking control of her own destiny, Santiago's story reflects that of Puerto Rico: to be a part of the United States, yet distinct and somehow detached." Library Journal

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 2 comments:

KaisenN Travelling Cross Country, October 18, 2014 (view all comments by KaisenN Travelling Cross Country)
We live a good life here in America. We basically live in a first class society. But this is not the case for some countries. Puerto Rico is one of the countries, in the mid 1900's that did not have the best living conditions. In fact, it was even hard to get a job, and live substantially in a good house.
Negi, a small, Spanish speaking child, seeks a better life. She lives in a house with a dirt floor, there are high risks of snake and scorpion bites, and on top of that, she has five other brothers and sisters. Her mother, Mami, does not have a job until later in the story, and her father, Papi, is almost never home. Her parents fight frequently, making it hard for Negi to go to sleep some nights. Although she has all of this commotion in her personal life, she has a incredible passion for living a better life. She is moved to different relatives to live, and she keeps moving school. This puts her back in her education because she has to catch up on the information the rest of the class is learning. Although the constant setbacks may eventually discourage the average human being, Negi keeps trying to learn English and learn the subjects.
Readers would enjoy this book. Although this story of Esmeralda Santiago had depressing sections, it is all worth.

dhirizarry, April 9, 2009 (view all comments by dhirizarry)
I'm Puerto Rican and I learn so much from reading this book and enjoyed it. Mrs. Santiago thank you this is the first book I ever read and now I'm on my second book (at the age of 41)

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(6 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)

"Review"
by The Los Angeles Times Book Review,
"Santiago's autobiographical account cinematically recaptures her past and her island culture. What is particularly appealing about Santiago's story is the insight it offers to readers unaware of the double bind Puerto Rican Americans find themselves in: the identity in conflict. Is [she] black or white? Is she rural or urban? Even more importantly, is she Puerto Rican or is she American? [One] can only be grateful that Esmeralda Santiago has chosen to explore her culture and share what she has found."

"Review"
by Kirkus Reviews,
"A beguiling record of a tremendous journey, epic in its own way, from childhood in a vibrant Puerto Rican barrio to triumph at Harvard, with a defining pause in a drab Brooklyn along the way....Cleareyed, quietly powerful, and often lyrical: a story of true grit."

"Review"
by Library Journal,
"A poignant look at a girl's coming of age and taking control of her own destiny, Santiago's story reflects that of Puerto Rico: to be a part of the United States, yet distinct and somehow detached."

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